My daughter really believes the tooth fairy exists. In her mind, a fairy flitters through her window who sticks fifty cents into a ziploc bag underneath her pillow while she is sleeping. As soon as her eyes open, she fixates on her bounty, and says, “Momma, the tooth fairy has the same ziploc bag as us.” Similarily, she believes Santa will come to our house and eat cookies and gulp his milk. She believes her Momma and Daddy will live forever. She believes in peace signs, flowers and love. She believes bandaids cure all hurts.
What do I believe? Beyond believing there is a God, I’m not certain what I believe. I’ve mulled the question in my head and in writing this post, I am not afraid to admit that I am still working on what I believe. I will leave with you what other wiser people have said about believing. Some of their beliefs surprised me, but also comforted me.
I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is best for everyone, best both for the body and the mind. Albert Einstein
I believe that every person is born with talent. Maya Angelou
I believe in the fundamental truth of all great religions of the world. Mohandas Gandhi
I believe in everything until it’s disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it’s in your mind. Who’s to say that dreams and nightmares aren’t as real as the here and now? John Lennon
Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart. Anne Frank
How about you? What do you believe?
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
Ah, the big questions.
I do believe people are more good than bad.
And that there is something special in each of us.
And that we don’t need to believe in a supreme being to be a good, kind person.
I believe in forgiveness. Thought provoking post.
Hmm…you caught me at a very cynical time of year, so it’s hard to say what it is that I do believe in, but rather, I will go with another quote that’s familiar to me, and one that I hold on to from one of my favorite TV series, the X-Files: “I want to believe.”
But some days are just harder than others.
Enjoy the holidays, Rudri. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you this year.
I think I am in the same place as you. Then again, I’m not even 100% sure that I believe that there is a God. I suppose I could say that I believe that I want to believe in something greater than myself.
I love the post!!! I believe in kindness and love…
Goodness what a great post today!! I believe in a lot of things…naively maybe, but I do. I believe in my family.
These are all wonderful quotes. the one that remains staggering to me is Anne Frank’s. The idealism and hopefulness of youth, even in the most horrific circumstances. Something to give us pause.
Wow, those quotes are powerful. They really give me pause, as I recommit myself to living my life with purpose and in the present (this, my one and only life, as Gretchen Rubin calls it in The Happiness Project).
And, like you, I’m not sure know what I believe, except in making the most of the time we have, for surely it is never enough.
I believe in the power of love because with love everything else seems to fall in place.
I love that your daughter believes in the tooth fairy even though she has the same ziplock bags! I believe in the innocence of childhood. I wish I could be less cynical and more carefree like they are. I wish I could bottle up their beauty and innocence and keep it safe for them forever. I really want to believe in the goodness of others.
I believe that what I believe is not all that important, but what truly is just is. My hunch is that when we somehow manage to align with what just is, we are carried forward or feel in some sort of larger harmony—and when things seem to be against us we are encountering mysterious forces that are not personal, but are nevertheless instructive. I appreciate the questions (always more interesting than answers anyway) and certainly send All Good Wishes and hopes for fairness, fairies, the power of love and psychic reality… and a great 2011. Namaste
Wow – those quotes are awesome. I teared up a little reading them. I believe in kindness and honesty.
I “Believe in God.” I know that he suffered, died and was buried for our sins. Most importantly, I know that he is there for us (even though many times it doesn’t feel as though he is) and is listening to us and our prayers. For this reason, I am certain that we will see our loved ones again in a much better place than where we are here on earth. God is good and he is faithful for those of us who “believe” in him without having to see him, but know within our hearts that he is there for us faithfully.
“Because the streets mean freedom. The streets mean no boundaries, no rules. The streets are your family…a family that doesn’t condemn you or look down on you. No one on the streets would make you feel guilty. The streets provide acceptance without strings.
She scoffed at the new church that was built a few blocks away. “Hypocrites” she called them. “Do you think they would ever come down here because they cared about me? No, if they ever dared to show their face here it would be to preach at me.”
I cringed inside, because of how often this observation is unfortunately true.
Jennifer took us to the bridge that she used to live under. She told us her story there. It was emotional…for all of us.
She and a boyfriend used to try to stay warm there inside an old car.
It was chilly as we filmed her. She had to keep her hands inside her sleeves. But she bravely told us everything because she wants to help others avoid the ash heap…or get out of it.
But things are different for her now.
She and that homeless boyfriend have both committed their lives to Christ. She has all of her kids back. They are married, working, have a home and are dedicated to breaking free from the past…except to point back to it for the sake of others.
Pointing to the consequences of living for yourself and the joy of living for Christ.
Only God can do this.”
– From http://deltackett.com/2010/11/18/up-from-the-ashes%E2%80%94jennifer%E2%80%99s-story/
I believe in a babe who was born in a manger who ended up dying on a cross for you and me. Love alone can’t save anyone. Works alone can’t save anyone. There is a life after death and the choice is there for us to make now. It’s free. Might I suggest the Gospel of John? It answers your questions there, too, especially about the trinity. I hope you find your answers.
This is such a great subject for a post. It should be a blog carnival! Have you heard of the NPR series, “This I Believe”? I am working every day on figuring out what I believe. And I’m liking my journey.